Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie
Haute Joaillerie | Contemporary Jewellery
Locations
New York
53 West 53rd Street, 10019, New York, New York, United States
Location
1
of
1
New York
ANNA HU HAUTE JOAILLERIE was founded by the contemporary jewellery artist Anna Hu. Growing up in a jewellery family, Hu developed deep interests in gemstones and their setting from an early age. Trained as a classical cellist at New England Conservatory, Hu has also studied at the Gemological Institute of America, F.I.T., Parsons School of Design (Masters, 19th century French Jewelry) and Columbia University (Masters, Arts Administration). After working at Christie’s, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston, she founded her own maison, opening her first boutique in New York’s Plaza Hotel in 2008. The French-Chinese high jewellery maison specializes in one-of-a-kind jewellery executed by French ateliers using the rarest gemstones.
Since May 2018, ANNA HU has been integrated into the Official Calendar of Haute Couture Week in Paris - the Haute Joaillerie Houses which create pieces with highest artistic values and French craftsmanship have officially admitted ANNA HU as a member.
She is the first Asian jewellery artist working with industry leaders in the circle of French ateliers. Francois Curiel, Chairman of Christie’s for Europe and Asia, speaks highly about her work: “The first decade of Anna's creative journey reminds me of a celebration of youthful fearlessness and the thrill of a new creative freedom. Bold and confident but cleverly edited designs juxtaposing exquisite gemstone of fervent colors. An opulence bursting with energy and joy. A fierce passion to present her very own "East meets West".
Now well into her second creative decade, Anna continues to evolve. The vibrancy that set the tone for her earlier creations now takes a different form, morphing into an ingenious command of materials to achieve balance and harmony. Her creations represent a unique equilibrium of proportion, construction, color and dazzle." -- Symphony of Jewels, Anna Hu, Opus2, Vendôme Press, 2018, p. 6.
Throughout the 16-year journey of the maison, Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie has participated in various International Art Fairs, Museum exhibitions and Auction House solo exhibitions with her pieces setting record-breaking prices.
Anna Hu’s musical training inspires her practice. In her words: “I apply music theory to my jeweled creations. For me, each gemstone is a musical note, each piece a symphony.” Hu’s love of music has inspired her dream to “compose” a series of Opuses in the form of books which reveal her jewels through a musical lens (Vendome Press with Thames & Hudson). The second book in the Symphony of Jewels (2019) series was recommended by The New York Times as a “Gem to Read”.
From Hu’s debut at TEFAF Maastricht in June 2022, presenting 35 pieces of her latest jewelry creations to celebrate the 35th Edition of the fair to her return to the Fair this year, the innovative craftsmanship incorporating different metal materials such as bronze and silver, as well as other untraditional materials, with the traditional karat gold has always brought on surprises and “wow” the connoisseurs from all around the world. It is also in 2022 that Hu's Yin Yang Hand Ornament, owned by internationally acclaimed artist, Cindy Sherman, was acquired by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Since May 2018, ANNA HU has been integrated into the Official Calendar of Haute Couture Week in Paris - the Haute Joaillerie Houses which create pieces with highest artistic values and French craftsmanship have officially admitted ANNA HU as a member.
She is the first Asian jewellery artist working with industry leaders in the circle of French ateliers. Francois Curiel, Chairman of Christie’s for Europe and Asia, speaks highly about her work: “The first decade of Anna's creative journey reminds me of a celebration of youthful fearlessness and the thrill of a new creative freedom. Bold and confident but cleverly edited designs juxtaposing exquisite gemstone of fervent colors. An opulence bursting with energy and joy. A fierce passion to present her very own "East meets West".
Now well into her second creative decade, Anna continues to evolve. The vibrancy that set the tone for her earlier creations now takes a different form, morphing into an ingenious command of materials to achieve balance and harmony. Her creations represent a unique equilibrium of proportion, construction, color and dazzle." -- Symphony of Jewels, Anna Hu, Opus2, Vendôme Press, 2018, p. 6.
Throughout the 16-year journey of the maison, Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie has participated in various International Art Fairs, Museum exhibitions and Auction House solo exhibitions with her pieces setting record-breaking prices.
Anna Hu’s musical training inspires her practice. In her words: “I apply music theory to my jeweled creations. For me, each gemstone is a musical note, each piece a symphony.” Hu’s love of music has inspired her dream to “compose” a series of Opuses in the form of books which reveal her jewels through a musical lens (Vendome Press with Thames & Hudson). The second book in the Symphony of Jewels (2019) series was recommended by The New York Times as a “Gem to Read”.
From Hu’s debut at TEFAF Maastricht in June 2022, presenting 35 pieces of her latest jewelry creations to celebrate the 35th Edition of the fair to her return to the Fair this year, the innovative craftsmanship incorporating different metal materials such as bronze and silver, as well as other untraditional materials, with the traditional karat gold has always brought on surprises and “wow” the connoisseurs from all around the world. It is also in 2022 that Hu's Yin Yang Hand Ornament, owned by internationally acclaimed artist, Cindy Sherman, was acquired by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie
Dance of Dunhuang High Jewellery brooch in titanium with exceptional clam pearls (112.32 carats and 37.51 carats), fancy shaped diamonds, yellow and pink diamonds, pink and orange sapphires and round brilliant cut diamonds.
Size: (L)16 x (W)6 x (H)4 cm
Inspiration
The piece explores the cultural connections between east and west. The tulip originated as a wild flower growing in the valleys of the southern foothills of the TienShan mountains, the so called Celestial mountain range in the far northwest of China, known for its rich biodiversity. Later, much loved and prized throughout Europe, the tulip once again played a role in international relations as a symbol of diplomatic friendship, just as it had been during the Tang dynasty. The Dutch royal family presented rare specimens to the Dowager Empress Cixi of the Qing dynasty, strengthening bonds between East and West. The flower was one of the precious luxuries traded along the ancient Silk Road, travelling from East to West, and West to East, through Central Asia. Records show that the tulip was one of the exotic treasures presented as a diplomatic offering tribute by the Western Regions to the court of the Tang Emperor.
Dance of Dunhuang High Jewellery brooch in titanium with exceptional clam pearls (112.32 carats and 37.51 carats), fancy shaped diamonds, yellow and pink diamonds, pink and orange sapphires and round brilliant cut diamonds.
Size: (L)16 x (W)6 x (H)4 cm
Inspiration
The piece explores the cultural connections between east and west. The tulip originated as a wild flower growing in the valleys of the southern foothills of the TienShan mountains, the so called Celestial mountain range in the far northwest of China, known for its rich biodiversity. Later, much loved and prized throughout Europe, the tulip once again played a role in international relations as a symbol of diplomatic friendship, just as it had been during the Tang dynasty. The Dutch royal family presented rare specimens to the Dowager Empress Cixi of the Qing dynasty, strengthening bonds between East and West. The flower was one of the precious luxuries traded along the ancient Silk Road, travelling from East to West, and West to East, through Central Asia. Records show that the tulip was one of the exotic treasures presented as a diplomatic offering tribute by the Western Regions to the court of the Tang Emperor.
Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie
Gnossienne brooch in 18K gold, jade, ruby, pear shaped diamond and round brilliant cut diamonds.
(L) 8.2 x (W) 14 x (H) 2.7 cm
The crane plays a leading role in Chinese art, appearing in paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, jade carvings and as embroidered ornamentation on Imperial robes. It is depicted usually in full flight, or often too alongside a pine tree or standing on a tortoise, both symbols of longevity. Laden with meanings and messages, the crane is recognized as a defining characteristic of important historical Chinese treasures held in museums around the world.
Artworks and treasures are studied by Europe-based Asian artist-jeweler, Anna Hu, who has been immersed in Chinese culture, history and mythology from an early age. Amongst her favorite historical objects is the 300 years old Coromandel screen in the Musée national des arts asiatiques-Guimet, Paris. Crafted in 1691, in Yangzhou, China, and made of exquisitely decorated lacquered wood, the folding panels depict cranes, pine trees and clouds. The precious screen was transported by East India Company ships along the Maritime Silk route from China to Europe where, as revealed by an inscription on the reverse of the screen, it was presented as a birthday gift to a certain Madame Gan; the cranes carrying with them their message of good fortune and long life.
Anna has always also loved ‘Auspicious Cranes’, the silk handscroll attributed to the Northern Song Dynasty Emperor Huizong (1082-1135). Painted in ink and color, it shows a flock of red-crowned cranes flying amongst magical clouds in an azure sky high above the city gates. The accompanying inscription and poem, written by the Emperor, suggests that he was capturing a real life event, the ‘immortal birds’ in flight as seen from his palace, in Kaifeng, on the night of the Lantern festival in 1112. He regarded this as an auspicious sign, a blessing of peace and harmony, a promise of flourishing national destiny.
The dramatic, storytelling Gnossienne Brooch is the perfect expression of Anna Hu’s signature East-West fusion: the legendary, spiritually-imbued status of the crane in Chinese culture, art, myths and legends, depicted in her favorite Chinese works of art, all immortalized through Western traditions of superlative gemstones and meticulous skills of the finest French craftsmanship.
Gnossienne brooch in 18K gold, jade, ruby, pear shaped diamond and round brilliant cut diamonds.
(L) 8.2 x (W) 14 x (H) 2.7 cm
The crane plays a leading role in Chinese art, appearing in paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, jade carvings and as embroidered ornamentation on Imperial robes. It is depicted usually in full flight, or often too alongside a pine tree or standing on a tortoise, both symbols of longevity. Laden with meanings and messages, the crane is recognized as a defining characteristic of important historical Chinese treasures held in museums around the world.
Artworks and treasures are studied by Europe-based Asian artist-jeweler, Anna Hu, who has been immersed in Chinese culture, history and mythology from an early age. Amongst her favorite historical objects is the 300 years old Coromandel screen in the Musée national des arts asiatiques-Guimet, Paris. Crafted in 1691, in Yangzhou, China, and made of exquisitely decorated lacquered wood, the folding panels depict cranes, pine trees and clouds. The precious screen was transported by East India Company ships along the Maritime Silk route from China to Europe where, as revealed by an inscription on the reverse of the screen, it was presented as a birthday gift to a certain Madame Gan; the cranes carrying with them their message of good fortune and long life.
Anna has always also loved ‘Auspicious Cranes’, the silk handscroll attributed to the Northern Song Dynasty Emperor Huizong (1082-1135). Painted in ink and color, it shows a flock of red-crowned cranes flying amongst magical clouds in an azure sky high above the city gates. The accompanying inscription and poem, written by the Emperor, suggests that he was capturing a real life event, the ‘immortal birds’ in flight as seen from his palace, in Kaifeng, on the night of the Lantern festival in 1112. He regarded this as an auspicious sign, a blessing of peace and harmony, a promise of flourishing national destiny.
The dramatic, storytelling Gnossienne Brooch is the perfect expression of Anna Hu’s signature East-West fusion: the legendary, spiritually-imbued status of the crane in Chinese culture, art, myths and legends, depicted in her favorite Chinese works of art, all immortalized through Western traditions of superlative gemstones and meticulous skills of the finest French craftsmanship.